When the Stars Align

It’s like everything flows smoothly. Or you meet the people who you need when you need them. You are in the right place at the right time, when the universe answers the calls you put out.

We just happened to be in Hilo, at a market when we ran into Eriki and his wife and a few members of Toa Huhina selling their amazing and beautiful merchandise. We were invited to a special ho’okipa at the University of Hilo campus. My goodness, what an unforgettable experience. Mind you I hadn’t been home in years and have been missing being around the culture and dances. Well this was exciting and fulfilling, to say the least. As we waited with Eriki and Toa Huhina, we heard drums rumbling. Immediately my chicken skin (goosebumps) kicked into high gear. My entire body became energized. we climbed the stairs and the oli and conch shells continued with the drums to build momentum. There were about twenty drummers being led by alaka’i, and an equal number of conch shell blowers. My heart raced. This went on for about fifteen minutes. The rest was a dream. The sharing of Tahitian, Hawaiian, and Marquesas, song and dance, and language was all I needed. I was absolutely rejuvenated.